Microsoft Sticks to 'Do Not Track' Plans for IE in Windows 8

Microsoft has announced that it is sticking with controversial plans to have 'Do Not Track' as the default setting for Internet Explorer 10 users with Windows 8. Microsoft first announced plans to have DNT enabled by default in IE10 in early June. However, the announcement drew a significant amount of criticism from the advertising industry, and claims that Microsoft would be contradicting a prior agreement with the White House threw Redmond's plans into an uncertain light.

Today, Microsoft revealed that DNT will be the default on IE10 and that it's a done deal thanks to Windows 8's RTM milestone. Lynch says this approach fits in with Microsoft's goal of configuring IE to better protect privacy while also giving users control of Internet Explorer's features. According to Lynch, additional consumer research confirmed strong support for the company's "consumer-privacy-first" approach with DNT following the release of Windows 8 Release Preview in May.

"With Windows 8's recent release to manufacturing, we know many people are interested in how customers will discover Do Not Track (DNT) in Internet Explorer 10," Microsoft's Chief Privacy Officer, Brendan Lynch, said today. "DNT will be enabled in the 'Express Settings' portion of the Windows 8 set-up experience.  There, customers will also be given a 'Customize' option, allowing them to easily switch DNT 'off' if they'd like."

When setting up Windows 8, users will be asked to choose between 'Express Settings' or 'Customize.' If users select the former, DNT will be enabled by default but users will be notified that their decision turns DNT on. Selecting the 'Customize' approach will enable users to turn a number of different settings on and off, including DNT.

Windows 8 is due out October 26 of this year. The OS hit RTM last week, and has already been leaked to file-sharing websites.

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